Abstract
The purpose of this research was to identify and evaluate the degree of severity of unfavorable ergonomic conditions of 159 employees working for an over-land freight transportation company operating in Colombia. The objective of the study was to suggest comprehensive risk-factor control strategies. Suratep's “Workplace Comprehensive Ergonomic Profile” method was used to identify ergonomic conditions and rank the degree of “severity” of their effect. The above-mentioned method consists of the review of aspects related to workplace design, body handling, some environmental factors, and psycho-social variables inherent with the job. Aspects related to body handling were identified as the most affected in the material handler's position, especially those related to material handling and transportation. The leading cause of morbidity, as referred to by workers in the last year, had to do with the lower back region. Analysis of the results obtained in the research, establishes that aspects related to body handling are critical, and must be addressed with priority. Other aspects were also analyzed, and, though important, they were found to be within levels which are considered satisfactory by the research methodology but must be improved both in the short and long ranges.
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